Andy Roddick thinks it's 'great news' after hearing Reilly Opelka's injury update ahead of the Australian Open

Andy Roddick has taken the positives from Reilly Opelka’s injury despite his worrying comments.

The big-serving American made a phenomenal start to the season by picking up the biggest win of his career against Novak Djokovic at Brisbane International.

He went on to reach the final but the 27-year-old, who has been dogged by injuries over the past two seasons, suffered another setback.

Reilly Opelka expressed that he is battling a back injury, but Andy Roddick is not thinking about the worst case scenario.

What did Andy Roddick say about Reilly Opelka’s latest injury?

In 2025, Opelka is aiming to complete a full season on the ATP Tour for the first time since 2022. The former World number 17 made a scintillating start in Brisbane but his Achilles heel has reared its head once again.

Opelka withdrew from the Brisbane final while trailing 1-4 to Jiri Lehecka and later said he was suffering from a back injury. “Unfortunately my back has been giving me issues,” he said.

“The tournament doctor and the ATP physio were unbelievable, throwing the kitchen sink at it, we worked on it all day but unfortunately it wasn’t possible.” But Roddick, who initially thought Opelka had injured his wurst, was very optimistic with his response.

Photo by Chris Hyde/Getty Images

“Back issues is great news. What I had read was the wrist wasn’t firing fully” Roddick said on his ‘Served podcast’. “Maybe that is just the new normal for him because if it’s a back thing and a usage rate thing that is a net positive.

“If it’s a back issue like he says it is, I know it sucks he didn’t get to play and he has discomfort. But there is a difference between being hurt and injured.

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“If you are injured you are getting an MRI. If you are hurt you are having the ATP trainers try and make you more comfortable. What that tells you is way better than what I read.”

Reilly Opelka is fighting to be fit for the Australian Open

Opelka now has less than a week to get himself fit for the Australian Open.

He was due to continue his preparations for the Grand Slam by playing in the ongoing ASB Classic, but due to the injury sustained in Brisbane, he pulled out.

Should Opelka make it to Melbourne Park, he will be a huge threat with his thunderous serve and powerful ground strokes.

He reached the third round on his last appearance at the tournament in 2022 and will be bidding to make a Grand Slam quarter-final for the first time.

His best result at a major came at the 2021 US Open, when he lost to South Africa’s Lloyd Harris in round four.

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